How to book

To use our online booking system go to - valley-farm.ecpro.co.uk   Once you have registered and been graded you will find lessons that you can book into. This could take around 24 hours the first time, so please allow time for this. To book with less than 24 hours notice please call us or speak to us in reception.

If you require any assistance choosing the best lesson for your needs, please give us a call or come and visit us in reception and we will be happy to discuss it with you. ​If you need any help or assistance with using the booking system please email phoebe@valleyfarm.co.uk or during office hours you can call 01728 746916.

We recommend booking well in advance for private lessons, as there are only limited time slots available, especially at weekends and during school holidays when it can be very busy. 

For group lessons we recommend booking at least one week in advance, but sometimes there may be spaces if you leave it later, so it is always worth giving us a call or checking online to find out. 

When booking online the lesson times will show up for you to select, but if you have any difficulty finding or booking the lesson/activity/event you want please do call 01728 746916 to confirm. We can book it for you over the phone provided you are registered on the system. 

Future lessons can be booked in person at reception or by calling us or your can book yourself in online. 

Lessons 

You can choose either one hour or 30 minutes.  This includes mounting and dismounting time and returning the horses to their stables.  

New riders will be assisted and you will be taught how to fetch your pony from the stable, how to check and adjust your tack, and how to safely mount, sit in a balanced position and handle the reins correctly.  You will also be helped to return your horse safely after riding until you are able to do this yourself. Riders who have never ridden before may have a leader or be lead by their coach in the beginning.

You can book to join group lessons at regular times each week, or you can ride more or less often if you prefer.

We offer a wide range of groups to suit those with differing abilities and ages.  

Private or shared private lessons can also be booked if you would prefer more individual attention, or wish to work on a specific topic.  

You do not have to ride every week, but the more often you ride, the faster you will progress. All of our group lessons are progressive, and you will be offered a place in the next group when we think it would suit you.  If you wish to remain with a specific coach, you may need to book private lessons. 

We offer a number of lessons of similar levels coached by different instructors, so do not be afraid to ask to change from one lesson to another until you find a coach who suits your learning style. 

Weight Limit

Horses generously carry us on their backs, and it is our responsibility to ensure their comfort. Please note that in the interests of animal welfare, our weight limit for horse riding is 12 stone or 76 kgs (fully dressed with boots and a riding hat). It can be embarrassing for us and for you, to have to ask you to stand on the scales when you arrive, so please weigh yourself at home in your riding gear, before booking.  

There are plenty of other options to enjoy being with horses for those who exceed our weight limit. For example carriage driving lessons, horse agility, or stable management and horse care lessons or you could volunteer to help with riding club events or the riding for the disabled group.

Weight limits are individual to each horse and variable depending on the age, health and fitness of the horse in question, and the level of work expected. We take into consideration more than just weight and height so we can carefully match personality and ability to ensure we do our best to keep our horses happy as well as allow riders to progress their skills.

Payment

If you use our online booking system you can pay online when you book your lesson, alternatively we are able to take payment by debit card over the phone. It is possible to purchase gift vouchers online for a lesson of your choice, then call to book a mutually convenient time. We can accept childcare vouchers for most lessons. If you book your next lesson in reception we can accept cash or debit/credit cards.

What to wear

Please take a look at our 'what to wear' page which gives information for riders and for visitors and also details our horse rider's code of conduct.  What To Wear and Code of Conduct | Valley Farm

Arrival

Please aim to arrive slightly before your lesson is due to start as it may not be possible to make up time for late arrivals. When you arrive, please report to reception where your hat and boots can be checked for safety, or you can be fitted with ours if you don't have your own. In the beginning we will help you to fetch your horse from the stable, mount and adjust the tack safely. Once you are confident with this we will encourage more independence.  Remember to relax and enjoy yourself. Riding should be fun, so don't be afraid to ask questions if there is anything you are not sure about and make sure you let your coach know if you are experiencing any difficulties.

Weekend Group Lessons

1 hour progressive lessons, throughout Saturday & Sunday (call to find out which lesson is most suitable)

Horse Agility

1 hour in hand (non-ridden) group lesson Thursdays during term time.

Adult Weekday Riding Groups

Group Lesson, 1 hour, Wednesday 11am; Thursday 2.30pm; (term time only)

After School Riding

Thurssday 4.30pm Mixed ability young persons 1 hour group

Tots Lead Rein Session

For 2-6 year olds, one hour riding and care, Saturday 11am.

Evening lessons

Wednesdays 6pm Group

Clubs

Clubs for children take place every weekend throughout the year.

Riding for the Disabled

East Suffolk RDA meet Thursdays and Fridays. Private lessons can be booked with us at other times.

Changing Lives Through horses

Wednesdays. Term times.

Clinics

Please follow us on Facebook or ask in reception for details of clinics which we hold throughout the year covering an assortment of topics.

Private lessons or shared private lessons

These can be booked at any time where space is available. Please call us on 01728 746916 to arrange a convenient time or you may be able to find a space and book yourself in online. You can book just for yourself, or you can book up 3 people online. If you wish to book a private group for more than 3 people please call us.

If there is a specific skill you would like to work on during a private lesson please ask. You may be interested in any of the following:

• lunge lessons
• equisimulator lessons
• barrel horse lesson to practice polo, polocrosse, horseball, roping, or mounting & dismounting
• vaulting
• mounted games
• western riding
• side saddle
• special needs sessions (either riding or pony care)
• test or exam preparation riding
• test or exam preparation horse care
• competition practice
• jumping up to 60cms
• pole work
• hacking/trail riding
• confidence building
• horse agility
• working equitation
• horseball
• polocrosse
• horseboarding
• horseback archery
• trick riding
• bareback
• Camargue Gardian-style
• long reining or carriage driving
• parent and child shared lesson
• assessment lesson for first time riders
• alternative educational provision

For more details about the different types of lessons available please follow this link   Riding Lessons

We really hope you will enjoy your lesson. Whether you choose to ride just once for fun, or for a celebration or special treat, or whether you aspire to be one of the next generation of Olympians.  Following the tips below will help you to get the best from your lesson, whatever your goal may be.

10 THINGS TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST FROM YOUR LESSONS

1. Talk to your coach. Let them know your ability, your long term and short term goals and what you would like to get from your lessons. Be honest.
2. Ask questions. Beforehand and during your ride please ask if you need further clarification about anything. If you feel uncomfortable or nervous or if anything is bothering you, please let your coach know so they can help you and try to ease any worries you may have.
3. Remember everybody was a beginner once, so there is no such thing as a silly question. There can be a lot of technical jargon in the beginning so it is normal not to understand every word and phrase.
4. Try to book lessons regularly. The more often you practice, the more quickly you will progress. Taking group and private lessons will really speed up your progress.
5. Be ready on time. Sounds obvious, but if you are late and stressed, you will not be in a learning frame of mind. Horses respond better if we are calm and relaxed, and we learn better when we are in a mood to focus.
6. Ride a variety of horses. Remember that it is not just the coach who is teaching you. You will learn something new from every horse you ride so try to ride lots of different horses, with different personalities and skills, not just the ones you find easy.
7. Be prepared to step out of your comfort zone. Your coach is there to help you to make progress and that can only happen if you are prepared to try something which you have not done before. This may be slightly difficult, uncomfortable or scary. We don't want to push you too far out of your comfort zone, and we understand that everybody learns at a different speed, so if you need to break things down into smaller steps, or if you have had a bad experience in the past, let us know so we can plan the best way to help you.
8. Summarise and Keep notes. At the end of your lesson try to think of at least two things that you have learned and will remember to do, or not to do in the future. Perhaps keep a note book or journal on your phone. You will have good days and bad days but this is a great way to help you stay on track with your goals and to be able to look back and see how much progress you have made. 
9. Exercise. If your coach suggests exercises you can do off the horse to improve your balance or coordination try to remember to practice them. Stay fit. Cross training with yoga, Pilates, dance, gymnastics, martial arts or anything which uses balance and improves body awareness will help your riding.
10. Remember it is supposed to be fun. Don't be too hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. No horse or rider is ever perfect. Just do the best you can and focus on the positives. If you have a bad day, discuss it with your coach so you can both come up with a positive plan for your next lesson.

updated june 2026